Can feeding mechanism



Aug .29, 193s.y A.; maken cm FEEDING lEcaAIsI Filed April 15, 1951 l f me A addi@ @Haga manina@ 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Abg Aug. 29, 1933. A, E, ALMGREN 1,924,146

GAN FEEDING MECHANISH Filed April 15, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 29, 1933. A. E. ALMGREN 1,924,146

CAN FEEDIHG lcmmlsl Filed ApriI 15. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet E5V mvENToR BY aq v y ATTGRNEY/ Patented Aug. -29, 1933 1,924,146 e CAN FEEnmG MEcnAmsn August E. Almglmllillside, N. I., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a Corporation of New Jersey Application April'15, 1931. Serial' No. 530,313

v e claims. '(01. iss-zz) The present invention relates, in general, to can feeding mechanism and has more particular reference to the transfer of filled cans from a conveyor to a machine, such as a top seamer,

' 5 wherein the cans are brought into proper timing without spilling the contents thereof.

In feeding filled cans to a top seamer, it is the practice to deliver them in untimed relation, from any suitable machine such as a filling machine to the end of a conveyor where they'may accumulate without definite progressive movement and from whence they are to be fed in spaced time relation to the seamer, without the l spilling of the contents of the. cans. This requires a picking upand indexing of 'the filled cans in succession and without sudden jarring or jerking movement, easily bringing the cans from their slow-moving travel into a slightly higher speed of travel, regardless of the exact position of the cans as they are' thus engaged.

'I'he principal object of the invention is the provision of an improved feeding mechanism for receiving cans in untimed relationship and positively engaging them in succession and spacing 2 them apart during which time they are conveyed at a` slightly higher speed without spilling of their contents.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a can vfeeding mechanism utilizing propelling and spacing ngers which bring the cans into proper spaced relation and maintain them somspaced during their introduction into a mac e.

'Ihe presentv invention contemplates the use of `an, endless conveyor moving at a given rate of travel, and a cooperating endless indexing chain, moving at a slightly righer rate of travel in order to pass through an effective can engaging lzone -and at such time to gain a distance of travel over the travel of the conveyor equal to or exceeding the width of a can so that a can in whatever position it may be on the'conveyor will always be properly engaged by the lindexing chain,. prior to introduction of it into a machine. l l

` A further important object of the invention is the provision of can feeding nge'rs pivotally mounted on a continuously moving indexing chain and which yield to prevent damage to the can in the event that engagement therewith 5 is improper. Y

. Numerous other objects of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, vdlsclos f-a preferred embodiment thereof.

chine, its line navel may be determined by an Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of feeding mechanism constructed in accordance with the principles 'of the present invention, such a mechanism being illustrated inconnection with parts of a canmachine;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, part of the indexing chain being removed, of the apparatus disclosed in 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken sub- 65 stantially along the line 3 3 in Fig.1;

Fig. 4 is an inner face detail of one set of can feeding ngers, connected with a section of the indexing chain; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail, being vtaken sub-Y stantially along the line 5-5 in Fig. 4, parts of the indexing chain being illustrated in elevation.V

While it has been previously suggested tha l the invention is particularly adapted to a. can feeding mechanism for cans passing between a 'nil . filling machine and a can top closing machine,

it will be vevident that such machines constitute but one condition where can feeding is used and that many other uses maybe found to which the disclosed feeding mechanism is equally well adapted. With thisin mind, the drawings, somewhat sketchily, illustrate a machine designated in general by the numeral 11 which may be f a seaming machine and into which the cans are to be Vconveyed after being brought intof proper spacing and The machine 11 may be provided with a cir- .cular transferv disc 12 on which the cans are positioned by the feeding mechanism. The disc 12 is secured for rotation to a vertical shaft 13 (Figs. 1 and 3) constituting one of the driv.

ing elements of the machine. 'I'he shaft 13 is journaled for rotation in bearings 14 formed in the machine 11, the upper of these bearings 14M acting as a supportfor the disc 12. f

' Transfer arms 15 are preferably used in such Y a machine and these are pivotally mounted on y' studs 16 threadedly engaged in the disc 12.

Each arm may be moved o'n its pivot by means lo of a cam 17 bolted to a stationaryplate 18 forming a part of the machine 1'1. The vimproved can feeding mechanism embodying the present invention delivers cans onto the upper, surfacek ofthe disc 12 @na individumiy in front or mei-.105 v transfer arms 15 after which they are conveyed -by movement of the disc 12, under the control of the cam 17, as previously described.

Duringthepassageofthecamintothe mamterguideringZLcarriedinthemachinell whichcooperateswithacircularguidesorfacen Iormedintheplatels. v

Filledcans31 (rigalandzl'are delivered iromtheiillingorothermachineontoatrackway32providedwithsideguiderails 33, 34, unhrackets35,36,supportedonatable 37 extending throughout theeiective zone of operationofthecanfeeding- Thetable .10 av (ng. :oat one end is carried on the mme or themachi'neandattheotheendonacolumnm A can conveyor is provided which comprises apairofspacedendlechainsl (Figs.1and2) operatingonthe table 37. the upperrun of. the chains moving within slotsA 39 formed in the trackway32. Itisontheuppersurfaceofthis section of' the conveyor that the cans 31 are de 3@ shown in Fig. 2 and engage sprockets 44 (Fig. 3)

carriedonahorimntalshaft journaledinbearings46formedinabracket 47 mounted upon and extending outwardly from the machine 11 adjacenttheupperbearing14.

i The shaitr carries a bevel gear 48 which mesheswithasimilargearkeyedtotheshaft V13intermediatetlicbearings14. Theshaft45is thus constantly rotated by its inter-geared connection with the drive shalt 13 of the machine.

4Q Theconveyorchains38alsopassoverothersuitableidlersprockeiswhichmaybemmmtedon theiillingmachine.

Asillustraiedin Fig. 1, the guiderail34 ter- Aatsmunedistancelromthemachine 11 45 andbetweenfits end and the machine itself is located a con moving indexing chain whiehpasesoveradrivingsprocket56keyed totheupperendofavertcalshaft'l (seealso I'ig.3)jourmledinabearh1g58formedinthe Q tabieaundmabrmgssformedmthebracket47. 'Bieshaft57atilslowerendcarriesa bevelgearlilwhichmesheswithasimilargr Y 62onthehoriaontalshaft45.

'lheindexingchainalsopasesadjacentthe 55g outer endof the table37 andover an idler sprocketiirotatingonavstnbshaitdcarriedbythe tahle3'l'. 'niischain55alsotakesoveran idlersprncket'llocatedtethesprockets56,`65androtatingonaverticalstubshaft 09468earriedbythetahle37. Thesectiomoftheindexingcbahx55thesprockets56,67 isparalleltotheconveyorchainswhilethe chainaeetim :thesprockeis67,65is atanangleihereto.V Thispermitsgradualapc @.prchtotheconveyorotachamsectionpass- "'ingfrunthesprockettothesprocketli'lfora purposesetforth. Theidler'lconmeansfor rear portion of the operativelhnbofihechainatanangle totheandforholdingthe forward porum of it substantially parallel with the conveyor.

'.lherelatimof thegearing 81,62 (Fig. 3) whichv :w Vshafts45.57issuchasto causethechain55totravelatahigher "'rateottlavelthantheconveyorchainsiibya indexing chain 55.

definite predetermined amount so that points on I the chains 55 will gain a certain traveled distance in passing between the sprockets 65, 56 in excess of the distance covered at the same time byE a given point on the conveyor chains 38 adjacent that zone of travel, this action providing proper timing of the cans delivered into the machine 1l.

Certain links of the indexing chain :55 are formed as blocks 71 (Figs. 1, 4 and 5) provided with outwardly extending spaced side walls 72. These lwalls enclose a pocket 73 therebetween in which is mounted for pivotal movement certain fingers which cooperate with the indexing chain to engage successively the cans 31 carried on the conveyor chains 38 in order to space and properly time them.

Such iingers comprise a series of propelling iingers 75 extending at one end thereof into the pockets 73, each ilnger being pivoted on a pin 76 carried in the side waus '12. The outer end of each 95 linger is formed as a pair of spaced extensions 77 enclosing a slot 78. Each nger 75 also projects beyond its pivot 76 and forms a stop end 79 which engages against the block 71, as illustrated in Fig. 5. A spring 81 interposed between theblock 71 100 and the finger 'I5 normally holds the extension end 77 of the latter outwardly with its stop end 79 against the block 71.

The stop end 79 of each finger 75 is slotted at 85 to provide clearance for a spacing nger 86 which is also pivoted on; the pin 76 and which has independent movement within the pocket 73. Each spacing nger 86 is also extended beyond the pivot 76 'to provide a stop end 87 for engagement against the block 71 in a 119 manner similar to that of the propelling nger 75. A spring 88 is interposed between the block v71 and the finger 86 which normally holds the latter in outward position, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

`The extensions 77 of fa supporting linger 75 115 are brought into engagement with a can 31 in the trackway 32 as each set of iingers 75, 86 with their associated block 71 passes over the idler sprocket 65 and toward the sprocket 67. If the linger strikes against the side wall of the can, (the position of an untimed can determining how such engagement takes place), its spring 81 yields without interfering with the con-Y tinued forward travel of the iinger with the 125 The linger 75 being advanced by the indexing chain 55 at a greater rate of speed than the can resting upon and carried by the conveyor'chains 38, the engaged end 77 of the iinger slowly slides along the engaged wall of the can 31 advancing the linger toward the front wall of the can.

Prior to reaching Ythe sprocket 56 the rounded nose of the iinger end 77 is carried beyond the rounded corner of the can and the linger moves ahead and free of the engaged can walL It is then in its fully extended position being so moved by its spring 81, its stop 79 being in engagement, withthe block 7l.

The extended finger then catches up with and engagesthecanimmediatelyahead. Acanso engaged is lm der the control of the chain 55 and is in proper time for deposit into a transfer arm 15 of the machine '11. Such a can is advanced at a slightly greater speed of travel than the travel of the .conveyor chains 38, the same sliding over the smooth upper surface of the chains during this movement.

It sometimes happens that the advancing finger 75 comes in between two properly positionedA cans in the trackway and `in such an event the veyor, and other devices also carried by said I chain for holding said cans in spaced position finger picks up the forward can and immediately increases its travel, the can being under the iniiuence of the carrier chain and maintaining its proper timing therewith.

The spacing finger 86 during a sliding engagement with the wall of a can 31, as just described, strikes against the can wall of the following can in the trackway 32 and slides along its wall until the propelling nger 75 properly engages and times its can, the spring 88 of the finger 86 yielding to permit this -sliding action. When the forward end of a propelling finger 75 is movingthe timed can forward, the can following is in between the associated fingers 75, 86 (Fig. 1) and will be engaged and y'propelled by the next adjacent finger 75.

The rear end of the finger 86 is in a position .to block or prevent following cans from crowding forward. In other wordsr the spacing of the can line is maintained, each timed can 31 being propelled forward by a finger 75 pivoted on its block 72 and being prevented from moving forward by a spacing finger 86 associated with the second block 72 forward.

The speed of travel of the indexing chain is in excess of the travel of the conveyorchains 38 by an amount which will move a propelling finger ahead of a given point on the conveyor chain at least the full width of one can throughout its feeding zone, or between the time that the finger first engages a can 31 in the trackway 32 and when the can is delivered into one ofthe transfer arms 15 of the machine 11. This is to insure that every can in the trackway 32 will be properly engaged and timed and where a finger 75 engages the wall of a container near its rear end, this being the extreme condition, the finger willslide along the can wall far enough to bring the can ahead in time before it is released from the chain 55. I

lIt is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing ai of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

/1.- A can feeding mechanism, comprising an endless conveyor for moving cans to a machine, an endless indexing chain mounted for operation adjacent said conveyor, means for moving said conveyor and said chain in the same direction of travel and at different rates of speed, de-

-vices carried by said-chain for bringing the cans into predetermined spaced relation on said conduring their introduction into said machine.

2. A can feeding mechanism, comprising an endless conveyor for moving cans to a machine, an endless indexing chain mounted for operation adjacent said conveyor, means for moving said conveyor and said chain in the same directionl of travel and at different ratesof speed, and means including opposed pivoted ngerscarried by said indexing chain for bringing and holding cans into predetermined spaced relation on said conveyor during their introduction into said machine.

3. A can feeding mechanism, comprising an endless conveyor for moving cans to a machine, an endless indexing chain mounted for operation yadjacent said conveyor, and pivoted spring held fingers carried by said indexing chain and extending in opposite directions for engaging behind and in front of the cans on said conveyor for spacing them in relative position and for holding them spaced on said conveyor prior to their introduction into said machine.

4. A can feeding mechanism, comprising in combination, a continuously moving conveyor for advancing cans toward a machine, an indexing chain continuously moving adjacent said conveyor and at a greater rate of travel, can propelling fingers pivotally mounted, on said chain and engaging the cans on said conveyor to space them in predetermined relation, and yielding means associated with said fingers for permitting their pivotal movement into depressed positions until the cans engaged by them are brought into their said spaced relation.

5. A can feeding mechanism, comprising in combination, a continuously moving conveyor for advancing cans toward a machine, an indexing chain, means for moving said chain at a greater speed of travel than said conveyor there- .by bringing sections thereof 'successively adjacent said conveyor, and fingers mounted on said chain and yieldingly engaging said cans during their passage adjacent said conveyor, said chain 'moving means advancing a said finger` during such passage a distance in excess of that trav- -ersed by said conveyor by an amount not less iis. 

